10 alternative things to do in Singapore

Published on 12 May 2017.

Been there, done that? Think again because there’s more to Singapore than meets the eye.

Sure, you might’ve been here before, but there’s definitely lots more you haven’t seen and done in the city. Second-time visitors, bookmark this list and check it off to be sure you experience all that Singapore has to offer, from the well-known to the (relatively) unknown.

1. Try island hopping

Visit one of Singapore’s newest attractions, Coney Island. Situated off the northeastern coast of Singapore, this 50-hectare island is accessible on foot from Punggol Point Park and is great for cycling and bird-watching. Other islands worth visiting include Lazarus Island and Pulau Seringat, which are both linked and part of Singapore's Southern Islands. Hop onto a ferry at Marina South Pier and drop off at St John's Island, where unspoilt beaches await.

2. Shop for homegrown labels (and get the best deals)

Photo by Darren Soh

Check out Singapore’s local talent and international indie labels at fashion stores like In Good Company at ION Orchard and SABRINAGOH at Capitol Piazza. Otherwise, head to Sects Shop by Depression and SUPERSPACE at Orchard Gateway for everyday wear, edgy pieces, trendy outfits, and more. If you’re looking for great deals, there’s sportswear Mecca Queensway Shopping Centre and for outlet shopping, head to IMM Jurong for brands like Nine West, Nike, Adidas, COACH.

4. Check out the café scene

Photo by Afur Wong

Singapore’s café scene is booming and it shows no signs of slowing down. Go café hopping and pop by joints like Chye Seng Huat Hardware, Symmetry, and Maison Ikkoku for amazing coffee and mouth-watering food. You don’t have to stop there; there are even more options in the Bugis and Lavender area, including tea specialists Hyde and Co., Melbourne-inspired coffee house The Hangar, and French-influenced patisserie Antoinette.

5. Visit a farm (or two)

Singapore may be known to many as an urban jungle, but don’t be surprised to find several farms in the outskirts of the city. Bollywood Veggies, Lian Wah Hang Quail Farm, and Jurong Frog Farm are interesting places if you’re keen on a farm visit, but if you want to take things up a notch and stay on one, there’s D’Kranji Farm Resort—a laid-back retreat located in the Lim Chu Kang area featuring spacious villas, spa services, and activities like prawning.

6. Tour the National Gallery Singapore

Photo by National Gallery Singapore

After an entire decade, the National Gallery Singapore opened its doors in November 2015. Here lies the planet's largest public display of modern Southeast Asian art, which is housed within two of the nation's most iconic national monuments—the former Supreme Court and City Hall. Marvel at more than 8,000 artworks and take in the stunning, picture-perfect spaces of the museum, such as the Supreme Court foyer and the Padang Atrium.

8. Go on a heritage trail

Learn about Singapore's rich history with heritage trails like the one around Queenstown and the World War II trails by Changi Museum. The former features free guided tours around the Dawson and Alexandra neighbourhoods in Queenstown, which take place every last Saturday of the month (register here), while the latter highlights motorcoach-facilitated guided trails that revisit some of the country's most iconic WWII sites around the Changi area.

9. Explore Singapore’s wet markets

Discover the spots where locals shop for fresh produce, frozen meats, spices, dried foods, and more at wet markets in neighbourhoods like Tiong Bahru (Tiong Bahru Wet Market), Chinatown (Chinatown Complex), and Little India (Tekka Centre). The best bit? You could venture out and explore the heartlands in these areas to see what the locals are really up to.

10. Stay active

Get active while you're in town. How about visiting an indoor trampoline park? Bounce away at AMPED. Or try your hand at rock climbing at Kallang Wave Mall (don't worry, it's indoors so you won't get roasted). You could also ride the waves and learn to surf at Wave House Sentosa. There's also the Escape Room fad to get into if you fancy working on puzzles in a limited amount of time—your mind will certainly appreciate the mental workout!

With so much to see and do, surely you’ll be seeing a different side of Singapore, even as a frequent visitor.